SAN FRANCISCO — Gentlemen, tap your helmets.

The Automated Ball Strike (ABS) challenge system that was utilized with such relish by hitters and catchers alike this past spring training will be part of regular-season and postseason games in 2026, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. The Robo-umps have arrived.

The challenge rules and use of technology to call disputed balls and strikes was approved in a vote of MLB’s joint-competition committee, which includes owners along with representatives from the players’ union and umpires. Each team will have two challenges per game and all successful challenges will be retained. Only the pitcher, catcher, and batter can challenge calls and must do so immediately without aid from coaches or the dugout.

A challenge will be added for each extra

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